JP6036472B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a so-called flatbed type recording apparatus in which recording is performed by moving a recording unit with respect to a recording medium on a stage.

  Conventionally, as this type of recording apparatus, a stage unit that supports a recording medium, a recording unit that faces the stage unit, and a Y bar (Y axis) that supports the recording unit so as to reciprocate in the main scanning direction (Y axis direction). X-axis movement that moves the recording unit in the sub-scanning direction (X-axis direction) via each support column and Y bar. A mechanism including a mechanism is known (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-210781 A

By the way, in this type of recording apparatus, it is conceivable to mount a detection unit that detects whether or not the distance between the recording unit and the recording medium is a predetermined distance.
However, if the detector is simply mounted, a special arrangement space for the detector must be provided, resulting in a problem that the entire apparatus becomes large.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus capable of arranging the detection units in a space-efficient manner.

  The recording apparatus of the present invention has a stage having a support surface for supporting a recording medium and a recording unit for recording on the recording medium supported by the stage, and is stretched across the stage in the first direction. The recording processing unit, a moving unit that crosses the recording processing unit with respect to the first direction and moves in the second direction along the support surface, and one side of the recording processing unit in the second direction. And the distance between the recording medium and the recording unit in the opposing direction of the recording unit and the stage, and the bumper portion that is disposed on at least one of the other side and absorbs an impact when a foreign object collides is less than a predetermined value. And a detection unit that detects whether or not, and at least a part of the detection unit is disposed inside the bumper unit.

  According to this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a special arrangement space for the detection unit by arranging the detection unit using the internal space of the bumper unit for absorbing the impact. Therefore, the detectors can be arranged in a space efficient manner, and the entire recording apparatus can be reduced in size.

  In this case, it is preferable to further include a sensor unit that detects the behavior of the bumper unit that has collided with the foreign matter.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to detect that a foreign object has collided with the recording processing unit. At this time, it is possible to quickly stop driving the moving unit.

  In the recording apparatus, the detection unit includes a contact unit that can contact the recording medium, a rotation shaft that is supported by the bumper unit and rotatably supports the base of the contact unit, and a posture holding member that holds the posture of the contact unit. And a rotation detector that detects the rotation of the contact portion that has come into contact with the recording medium.

  According to this configuration, as the recording processing unit moves, when the recording medium comes into contact with the contact unit, the contact unit rotates, and the rotation detection unit detects this rotation. In this way, it is possible to detect whether or not the distance between the recording medium and the recording unit is less than a predetermined value with a simple configuration without damaging the surface of the recording medium as much as possible. In addition, since it is possible to detect whether or not the distance between the recording medium and the recording unit is less than a predetermined value at each position in the second direction, there are unevenness and deflection (floating) in the second direction. This can also be detected when it is partially less than the predetermined value.

  In the recording apparatus, the detection unit is arranged side by side in the first direction, and is supported by the bumper unit and a plurality of contact units that can come into contact with the recording medium in accordance with the movement of the recording processing unit. A rotation shaft that rotatably supports the base portion of the recording section, a posture holding member that holds the posture of the plurality of contact portions, and a plurality of rotation detection portions that respectively detect the rotation of each contact portion that has contacted the recording medium. It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, when the recording medium comes into contact with each contact portion as the recording processing unit moves, each contact portion rotates, and the rotation detection unit detects this rotation. In this way, it is possible to detect whether the distance between the recording medium and the recording unit is less than a predetermined value with a simple configuration without damaging the recording medium as much as possible. In addition, since it is possible to detect whether or not the distance between the recording medium and the recording unit is less than a predetermined value at each position in the second direction, there are unevenness and deflection (floating) in the second direction. This can also be detected when it is partially less than the predetermined value. Further, by using a plurality of contact portions arranged side by side in the first direction and a plurality of rotation detection portions for detecting the rotation of each contact portion, there are unevenness and deflection (floating) in the first direction. If it is partially less than the predetermined value, this can be detected with high accuracy. In addition, since each contact portion is narrower than the width of the recording medium, it is difficult to bend, and the tip end (end on the recording medium side) can be formed with high accuracy and is arranged as close as possible to the recording medium. (Improvement of detection accuracy).

  In this case, it is preferable to further include a notification unit that notifies the detection result of each rotation detection unit.

  According to this configuration, in the recording medium, the user can easily recognize at which position in the second direction the unevenness or the bending (floating) occurs.

  On the other hand, it is preferable that the rotation detection unit is fixed to the contact unit and is relatively pressed against the inner surface of the bumper unit with the rotation, and the rotation of the contact unit is detected by the press.

  According to this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a special arrangement space for the rotation detection unit by arranging the rotation detection unit on the contact unit. Therefore, the detection unit can be reduced in size and can be easily arranged inside the bumper unit.

  The bumper unit supports the posture holding member in a slidable manner between a pressing position for pressing the contact portion and a retracted position retracted from the pressing position, and the detection unit biases the posture holding member toward the pressing position. It is preferable to further include an urging spring.

When the recording processing unit moves from the front side to the rear side in the second direction, if the recording medium comes into contact with the contact unit from the rear side and a strong load is applied to the contact unit, the posture holding member rotates the front side. Is pushed in, there is a risk that the load will not escape and the contact portion and the recording medium may be damaged.
On the other hand, according to the above configuration, when such a strong load is applied, the posture holding member slides from the presser position to the retracted position against the biasing of the biasing spring, and the front of the contact portion. Allow rotation to. As described above, since the load can be released, the contact piece and the recording medium can be prevented from being damaged.

1 is an external perspective view illustrating a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. It is the front view which showed the recording device which abbreviate | omitted a part of support stage and a part of apparatus cover. It is A surface sectional drawing which showed the periphery of a support stage and a Y-axis moving part. It is the perspective view which showed the recording process part which abbreviate | omitted the apparatus cover. It is the front view which showed the recording process part which abbreviate | omitted the apparatus cover. It is the inner side view which showed the surroundings of the side frame and the raising / lowering moving part integrated in this. It is the schematic side view which showed the detection mechanism. It is the schematic front view which showed the detection mechanism. It is the perspective view (a) which showed the rear collision detection part and the 1st detection part, front view (b), and B-B 'sectional drawing (c). It is the flowchart which showed the recording operation by the recording device.

  Hereinafter, a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This recording apparatus records a desired image on a recording medium by ejecting ultraviolet curable ink by an inkjet method. The recording apparatus is a so-called flat bed type recording apparatus that performs recording by moving a recording head to a recording medium supported by a support stage. Further, as the recording medium, for example, recording media having different thicknesses such as cardboard, wood, tile, plastic board, cardboard and the like are assumed. In addition, as shown in each drawing, the X axis (left and right) direction, the Y axis (front and rear) direction, and the Z axis (up and down) direction are defined and described below. The Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction are directions along the support surface (set surface) of the support stage. Further, the front side in FIG. 1 is the front side of the recording apparatus, and the back side in FIG. 1 is the rear side of the recording apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording apparatus 1 is supported by four legs 10 with casters, and supports a recording stage A that supports the recording medium A, and confronts the recording medium A that is supported. A gantry-type recording processing unit 12 having a recording unit 31 that supports the recording processing unit 12, and a Y-axis moving unit that moves the recording processing unit 12 in the Y-axis direction (second direction) relative to the support stage 11. (Moving unit) 13. The recording processing unit 12 is stretched across the support stage 11 so as to cross the X-axis direction (first direction). On the other hand, the Y-axis moving unit 13 is disposed on the back side of the support stage 11 so as to overlap the support stage 11, and supports the recording processing unit 12 on the back side of the support stage 11 so as to be movable.

  In addition, the recording apparatus 1 includes a detection mechanism 14 that detects a collision of a foreign object and a height of the recording medium A, and a control mechanism 15 that controls each of the above parts (see FIG. 7). The control mechanism 15 stops driving the Y-axis moving unit 13 based on the detection result of the detection mechanism 14.

  Next, the support stage 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the A stage when the support stage 11 and the Y-axis moving unit 13 are viewed from the rear side. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the support stage 11 includes a pair of beam-like left and right structural shapes 21 extending in the Y-axis direction, and a plurality of support stages 11 arranged vertically and horizontally between the pair of structural shapes 21. Support member 22, a pair of structural members 21 and a plurality of support members 22, a suction table 23 on which the recording medium A is sucked and set, and an operation panel unit 24 arranged in front of the suction table 23, ,have. The suction table 23 has a support surface that supports the recording medium A. The support stage 11 is supported by the leg material 10 at the end of each structural shape member 21. An open / close door 24 a is widely provided in the right half of the operation panel portion 24. When the recording processing unit 12 is manually maintained, the recording processing unit 12 is moved to the front side (Y-axis direction front side), the opening / closing door 24a is opened, and the recording processing unit 12 is opened from the opening / closing door 24a. Perform maintenance.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the recording processing unit 12 has a recording unit 31 facing the supported recording medium A, and an X-axis movement that supports the recording unit 31 and moves the recording unit 31 in the X-axis direction. Part 32, an upright horizontal frame 33 that supports the X-axis moving unit 32, a pair of left and right side frames 34 that support the horizontal frame 33 on both sides in the X-axis direction, and the base sides of the pair of side frames 34 And a device cover (see FIG. 1) 36 that covers them. The horizontal frame 33 extends in the X-axis direction so as to cross the support stage 11. Each side frame 34 extends below the support stage 11, and the connection frame 35 is connected to the lower ends of the side frames 34 under the support stage 11. The Y-axis moving unit 13 is disposed on the connection frame 35 and connects the connection frame 35 and the support stage 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording processing unit 12 has a pair of projecting portions 12 a projecting left and right from the support stage 11. That is, the recording processing unit 12 includes a pair of left and right projecting portions 12a that project in the X-axis direction with respect to the support stage 11, and a superimposition that overlaps the support stage 11 in the X-axis direction on the surface side (upper side) of the support stage 11. Part 12b.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the recording unit 31 includes a carriage unit 53 on which two recording heads 52 are mounted, and a pair of ultraviolet irradiation units 54 arranged on the left and right of the carriage unit 53. ing. Each ultraviolet irradiation unit 54 has an ultraviolet irradiation LED for irradiating ultraviolet rays, and irradiates the ultraviolet curable ink ejected and landed by the recording head 52 with ultraviolet rays to cure (fix) the ultraviolet curable ink.

  Each recording head 52 is an inkjet head that is driven to be ejected by a piezoelectric element (piezo element), and has a plurality of nozzle rows (not shown) for each color extending in the Y-axis direction. That is, it is configured to be able to discharge a plurality of colors of ultraviolet curable ink. The recording head 52 faces the recording medium A at the nozzle surface. The nozzle surfaces of the two recording heads 52 have the same height. In this embodiment, a piezo ink jet head is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a thermal ink jet head or an electrostatic ink jet head may be used. In addition to these on-demand ink jet heads, a continuous ink jet head may be used.

  The X-axis moving unit 32 is supported by the horizontal frame 33, and a pair of upper and lower guide shafts 61 that support the recording unit 31 in a reciprocating manner in the X-axis direction. An X-axis drive mechanism 62 that is dynamically driven.

  The X-axis drive mechanism 62 includes a timing belt 63 that extends in the X-axis direction along a pair of guide shafts 61, a main pulley 66 and a driven pulley 64 that span the timing belt 63, the timing belt 63, and the recording unit 31. A connection fixing portion (not shown) for connecting the (carriage 51) and a carriage motor 65 for driving the main driving pulley 66 are provided. In the X-axis moving unit 32, the carriage motor 65 rotates in the forward and reverse directions, thereby causing the recording unit 31 to reciprocate in the X-axis direction on the pair of guide shafts 61 via the timing belt 63. Along with this reciprocation, the recording process is performed by driving each recording head 52 to discharge.

  Next, the side frame 34 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, each side frame 34 incorporates an up-and-down moving unit 69 that moves the recording unit 31 in the vertical direction and moves the recording unit 31 toward and away from the support stage 11. Specifically, each side frame 34 includes a box-shaped frame main body 68 that supports the horizontal frame 33, a frame moving body 69 that connects the frame main body 68 and the connecting frame 35, and moves the frame main body 68 up and down. It is equipped with.

  In the pair of side frames 34, each frame body 68 is moved up and down by each lifting and lowering movement unit 69, so that the recording unit 31 is moved up and down via each frame body 68, the horizontal frame 33 and the X-axis moving unit 32. Let Thereby, the recording unit 31 is moved closer to or away from the support stage 11 and the recording medium A supported by the support stage 11 (gap adjustment). That is, each frame moving unit 69 moves the frame main body 68, the horizontal frame 33, the X-axis moving unit 32, the recording unit 31, and the device cover 36 covering them up and down. Therefore, the movable bodies that are lifted and lowered by the lifting and lowering moving part 69 are the frame main bodies 68, the horizontal frame 33, the X-axis moving part 32, the recording unit 31, and the apparatus cover 36.

  The frame body 68 supports the horizontal frame 33 and has a fixed plate portion 68 a for fixing the movable side of each lifting and lowering moving portion 69 on the inner side (support stage 11 side).

  The raising / lowering moving unit 69 is disposed between a pair of front and rear lifting guide mechanisms 71 that support the frame main body 68 so as to be movable up and down with respect to the connecting frame 35, and the pair of lifting guide mechanisms 71. An elevating drive mechanism 72 that dynamically drives and an elevating drive motor (not shown) that drives the elevating drive mechanism 72 are provided. Each lifting guide mechanism 71 is configured by an LM guide (registered trademark) mechanism. Moreover, the raising / lowering drive mechanism 72 is comprised with the ball screw mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the Y-axis moving unit 13 is located at the left and right ends on the back side of the support stage 11, and supports a pair of left and right supporting the recording processing unit 12 slidably in the Y-axis direction with respect to the support stage 11. The linear guide mechanism 86 is located at the center of the back surface side of the support stage 11, and drives the Y-axis movement mechanism 87 that moves the recording processing unit 12 in the Y-axis direction with respect to the support stage 11, and the Y-axis movement mechanism 87. And a drive motor 88. Each linear guide mechanism 86 is configured by an LM guide mechanism. Further, the Y-axis moving mechanism 87 is constituted by a ball screw mechanism.

  Next, the detection mechanism 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 7 to 9. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the detection mechanism 14 includes a collision detection unit 101, a medium detection unit 102, and an elevating collision detection unit 103. The collision detection unit 101 is arranged on one side and the other side (front and rear) in the Y-axis direction of the recording processing unit 12 and detects that a foreign object has collided with the recording processing unit 12 moved by the Y-axis moving unit 13. . The medium detection unit 102 faces the surface side and the side surface side of the recording medium A, and the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 in the Z-axis direction (opposite direction of the recording unit 31 and the support stage 11) and the recording head 52 side of the recording medium A. Detect the distance between the two ends. In other words, the medium detection unit 103 detects the height of the recording medium A (the distance from the support surface of the suction table 23 to the upper end of the recording medium A). The up / down collision detection unit 103 is mounted on the recording processing unit 12 at a position facing the support stage 11 (recording medium A), and detects that a foreign object has collided with a movable body that is moved up and down by the up / down moving unit 69.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, the collision detection unit 101 includes two left and right front collision detection units 106 disposed on the front side (one side in the Y-axis direction) of the overlapping portion 12 b of the recording processing unit 12, Four side collision detectors 107 disposed on the front side and the rear side (the other side in the Y-axis direction) of each protruding portion 12a of the recording processing unit 12, and the rear side of the overlapping portion 12b of the recording processing unit 12, respectively. A rear collision detection unit 108.

  Each front collision detection unit 106 is disposed on the front side of the overlapping portion 12b, on the front bumper portion 111 disposed on the lower end portion of the overlapping portion 12b, and on the rear side of the front bumper portion 111, and detects the behavior of the front bumper portion 111. Part 112.

  The front bumper unit 111 is supported forward and backward with respect to the recording processing unit 12 and is urged away from the device cover 36 by a pressing spring (not shown). The front bumper portion 111 absorbs an impact at the time of foreign object collision by the hollow structure and the urging force of the pressing spring. The front bumper unit 111 moves against the urging force of the pressing spring when it comes into contact with a foreign object or the recording medium A. The front sensor unit 112 detects the movement of the front bumper unit 111 due to the contact of the foreign matter or the recording medium A, and detects the collision of the foreign matter or the recording medium A. As shown in FIG. 8, the two front bumper units 111 of the two front collision detection units 106 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction. The total width in the X-axis direction of the two front bumper portions 111 has a width (length in the X-axis direction) that covers the entire width of the overlapping portion 12b. According to such a configuration, in the recording medium A, when there is unevenness or bending (floating) in the X-axis direction and partially exceeds a predetermined height, this can be accurately detected.

  Each front collision detection unit 106 is arranged so that the recording medium A contacts the front bumper unit 111 when the height of the recording medium A is equal to or greater than a predetermined first upper limit value h1. That is, each front collision detection unit 106 can detect whether or not the height of the recording medium A is equal to or higher than the first upper limit value h1. The height of the first upper limit value h1 is a position higher than the nozzle surface of the recording head 52.

  Each side collision detection unit 107 includes a side bumper portion 113 disposed at a lower end portion of each projecting portion 12a and a rear side of the side bumper portion 113 on the front side and rear side of each projecting portion 12a. And a side sensor unit 114 that detects the behavior of the side bumper unit 113. Since the configuration of the side bumper portion 113 is the same as that of the front bumper portion 111 described above, detailed description thereof is omitted. The side sensor unit 114 detects the movement of the side bumper unit 113 due to the contact of the foreign matter, and detects the collision of the foreign matter. Further, each side bumper portion 113 has a width (length in the X-axis direction) that covers the entire width of the protruding portion 12a.

  As shown in FIG. 7, each side bumper part 113 is arrange | positioned by the arrangement | positioning member 115 in the position lower than the lower end part of the protrusion part 12a in a perpendicular direction (Z-axis direction). Further, each side bumper portion 113 is arranged at a position lower than the support stage 11 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the position of each side bumper portion 113 in the vertical direction is standard from the lower surface of the support stage 11 so that the collision of the arm can be detected when the user entangles the arm with the leg member 10. It is set to a lower position by the thickness of the arm.

  Further, the side bumper portion 113 of the side collision detection unit 107 arranged on the front side of the protruding portion 12a is arranged at a position protruding forward from the front bumper portion 111 in the Y-axis direction by the arrangement member 115.

  As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the medium detection unit 102 faces the surface side of the recording medium A, and the distance between the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 and the recording medium A is less than the first predetermined value L1. The distance between the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 and the recording medium A is a second predetermined value L2 that faces the side surface of the recording medium A and the first detection unit (detection unit) 121 that detects whether or not And a second detection unit 122 that detects whether or not (L1 <L2) is exceeded. The first predetermined value L1 is a distance between the nozzle surface and the recording medium A that can perform normal recording on the recording medium A when the recording head 52 is disposed at a predetermined position in the Z-axis direction. Is the lower limit of the distance. The second predetermined value L2 is a distance between the nozzle surface and the recording medium A that can perform normal recording on the recording medium A when the recording head 52 is disposed at a predetermined position in the Z-axis direction. Is the upper limit of the distance. In the present embodiment, the first predetermined value L1 is 1.0 mm, and the second predetermined value L2 is 5.0 mm.

  In other words, the first detection unit 121 detects whether or not the height of the recording medium A exceeds a predetermined second upper limit value h2 (h2 <h1), and the second detection unit 122 It is detected whether the height of the recording medium A is less than a predetermined lower limit value h3 (h3 <h2). The height of the second upper limit value h2 is a position lower than the recording head 52. The second upper limit value h2 corresponds to the above-mentioned first predetermined value L1, and the lower limit value h3 corresponds to the above-mentioned second predetermined value L2.

  Both the first detection unit 121 and the second detection unit 122 are mounted on the recording processing unit 12. As a result, the 1st detection part 121 and the 2nd detection part 122 are mounted in the movable body raised / lowered by the raising / lowering moving part 69, and the medium detection part 102 is the recording medium A with respect to the said movable body (surface). Detect the relative height of. Accordingly, the medium detection unit 102 detects the relative position (height) of the surface of the recording medium A with respect to the recording head 52 and detects the distance between the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 and the recording medium A.

  The first detection unit 121 includes a contact piece 151 whose base is rotatably supported, and a contact-type sensor unit 153 that detects the rotation of the contact piece 151. The first detection unit 121 includes a contact piece 151 that contacts the recording medium A. The presence or absence of rotation is detected by the contact sensor unit 153 to detect whether the distance between the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 and the recording medium A is less than a first predetermined value L1 (details will be described later). .

  The second detection unit 122 includes a light emitting / receiving unit 129 and a reflection unit 130 that are opposed to each other with the support stage 11 interposed therebetween. The light emitting / receiving unit 129 emits detection light toward the reflection unit 130 and receives the detection light reflected by the reflection unit 130. That is, if the distance between the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 and the recording medium A is equal to or smaller than the second predetermined value L2, the recording medium A blocks the detection light, so that the light emitting / receiving unit 129 does not receive the detection light. On the other hand, when the distance between the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 and the recording medium A exceeds the second predetermined value L2, the recording medium A does not interfere with the detection light, so that the light emitting and receiving unit 129 detects the detection light. Is received. As described above, the second detection unit 122 detects whether the distance between the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 and the recording medium A exceeds the second predetermined value L2 based on whether or not the detection light is received. To do.

  The ascending / descending collision detection unit 103 is arranged on the lower surface side of the overlapping portion 12b so as to face the support stage 11, and is arranged on the back surface (upper side) of each of the contact members 131 arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions. And a plurality of lift sensor units 132 that detect the behavior of each contact member 131. Each contact member 131 is a contact for detecting a collision in contact with a foreign object. On the other hand, each elevating sensor unit 132 is a detector that detects a collision by detecting the movement of the contact due to the contact of a foreign object.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 7 thru | or FIG. 9, the rear collision detection part 108 and the 1st detection part 121 are demonstrated. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the rear collision detection unit 108 includes a rear bumper unit (bumper unit) 141 disposed at a lower end portion of the overlapping portion 12b on the rear side of the overlapping portion 12b, and a rear bumper portion 141. And a rear sensor unit (sensor unit) 142 that is disposed on the back side (front side) and detects the behavior of the rear bumper unit 141.

  The rear bumper portion 141 is a contact for detecting a collision by contacting a foreign object or the recording medium A, and is formed in a box shape with the back and bottom surfaces open. The rear bumper portion 141 is supported so as to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the device cover 36 and is urged away from the device cover 36 by a pressing spring (not shown). The rear bumper portion 141 absorbs an impact at the time of foreign object collision by the hollow structure and the urging force of the pressing spring. The rear bumper portion 141 has a width (length in the X-axis direction) that covers the entire width of the overlapping portion 12b.

  On the other hand, the rear sensor unit 142 contacts a contacted portion 141a provided on the back side of the rear bumper unit 141, detects the movement of the rear bumper unit 141 due to the contact of the foreign matter or the recording medium A, and detects the foreign matter or the recording medium. It is a contact-type detector that detects the collision of A.

  Then, like the front collision detection unit 106, the rear collision detection unit 108 makes the recording medium A contact the rear bumper unit 141 when the height of the recording medium A is equal to or greater than a predetermined first upper limit value h1. Have been placed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the first detection unit 121 is mounted on the rear bumper unit 141 so that a part thereof is disposed inside the rear bumper unit 141. The first detection unit 121 is supported by a contact piece (contact unit) 151 that can come into contact with the surface of the recording medium A as the recording processing unit 12 moves, and the rear bumper unit 141 at both left and right ends. A rotating shaft 152 that rotatably supports the base portion of the recording medium, a contact type sensor unit (rotation detecting unit) 153 that is disposed on the contact piece 151 and detects the rotation of the contact piece 151 in contact with the recording medium A, and a contact piece 151 And a pair of left and right urging members that urge the posture holding member 154 backward at both left and right ends. And a spring 155. When the recording medium A comes into contact with the tip of the contact piece 151 in the detected posture as the recording processing unit 12 moves, the contact piece 151 rotates backward, and the contact sensor unit 153 detects this rotation. Thereby, whether or not the distance between the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 and the recording medium A is less than the first predetermined value L1 (whether the surface of the recording medium A has a height exceeding the second upper limit value h2). ) Is detected.

  The contact piece 151 includes a contact plate portion 161 that comes into contact with the recording medium A, a plate-like fixing member 162 that fixes the contact plate portion 161 to the distal end side, and a rearward bent from both left and right ends on the proximal end side of the fixing member 162. And a pair of left and right mounting plate portions 163 having shaft passage holes 163a through which the rotation shaft 152 is inserted. The contact plate portion 161 has a width (length in the X-axis direction) that encompasses the entire width of the recording medium A.

  The contact plate 161 is fixed to the fixing member 162 so that the height can be adjusted. With this height adjustment, when the distance between the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 and the recording medium A is less than the first predetermined value L1, the contact piece 151 rotates by contact with the recording medium A, and the nozzle surface When the distance between the recording medium A and the recording medium A is equal to or larger than the first predetermined value L1, the contact piece 151 is adjusted so as not to contact the recording medium A. Here, “not in contact” means not only the case where the recording medium A and the contact piece 151 are not completely in contact, but also the case where the recording medium A and the contact piece 151 are in contact with each other by the contact sensor unit 153. Even when the rotation of the contact piece 151 is not detected, or when the recording medium A is in contact with the contact piece 151 and the contact sensor 151 detects the rotation of the contact piece 151, for example, the detected rotation angle of the contact piece 151 is detected error. Including a case where the angle is equal to or less than a predetermined rotation angle in consideration of the above. The detectable range that can be normally detected by the first detection unit 121 is greater than the second upper limit value h2 and less than or equal to the first upper limit value h1. That is, the detectable range by the first detection unit 121 and the detectable range by the front collision detection unit 106 and the rear collision detection unit 108 are configured to partially overlap.

  The contact-type sensor unit 153 is fixed to the fixing member 162 at the center in the X-axis direction so as to face the inner surface on the surface side of the rear bumper unit 141. The contact-type sensor unit 153 is always in contact with the inner surface on the surface side of the rear bumper unit 141, and is relatively pressed against the inner surface of the rear bumper unit 141 with the rotation of the contact piece 151 in contact with the foreign matter. The The contact-type sensor unit 153 detects rotation of the contact piece 151 by detecting this press.

  The posture holding member 154 is composed of a rod-shaped member that contacts the front side of the fixed member 162, and is supported by the rear bumper portion 141 so as to be slidable back and forth at both left and right ends. Specifically, the posture holding member 154 is slidably supported between a press position P1 for pressing the front side of the contact piece 151 and a retreat position P2 retracted forward from the press position P1. On the other hand, one end of each biasing spring 155 is locked to the rear bumper portion 141 and the other end is locked to the posture holding member 154 to bias the posture holding member 154 rearward. By the urging force of the pair of urging springs 155, the posture holding member 154 is always pressed against the fixing member 162 of the contact piece 151 and is urged toward the pressing position P <b> 1. That is, when the posture holding member 154 presses the contact piece 151 by the urging force of the pair of urging springs 154, the contact piece 151 is held in a detection posture inclined backward from the standing posture. Strictly speaking, the contact piece 151 is maintained in the detection posture by the balance between the reaction force received by the contact sensor unit 153 from the inner surface of the rear bumper unit 141 and the biasing force of the pair of biasing springs 154.

  The posture holding member 154 is slidably supported and is pressed toward the presser position P1 by the urging force of the pair of urging springs 154. Accordingly, the posture holding member 154 is configured to be able to retract forward against the urging force of the pair of urging springs 154 when a strong forward load is applied to the contact piece 151. Accordingly, when the recording processing unit 12 is moved from the front side to the rear side in the Y-axis direction and a foreign object or the recording medium A comes into contact (collision) with the contact piece 151 from behind, the posture holding member 154 is retracted forward. Thus, the contact piece 151 is allowed to rotate forward.

  Next, a recording operation by the recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the recording operation, the recording unit 12 is moved from the rear side (back side) in the Y-axis direction to the front side (front side) to detect an abnormality, and after the preliminary operation, the recording unit 12 is moved to the front side in the Y-axis direction. The main operation is performed from the (near side) to the rear side (back side) to perform the recording process.

  As shown in FIG. 10, first, the recording apparatus 1 enables (ON) the collision detection unit 101, the medium detection unit 102, and the up / down collision detection unit 103 by the control mechanism 15 (S1), and thereafter performs a gap adjustment process. Start (S2). In the gap adjustment process, the up-and-down moving unit 69 is driven based on the thickness (height) or gap value of the recording medium A input by the user, and the distance between the surface of the recording medium A and the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 is determined. The recording unit 31 is moved up and down so that a predetermined gap is obtained. At this time, when a collision (clogging) of a foreign object is detected by the ascending / descending collision detection unit 103 (S3: Yes), the control mechanism 15 that has received this controls the ascending / descending movement unit 69 to raise the movable body as much as possible. (S4), the operation panel 24 is notified of the error, and then the recording operation is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the collision of the foreign matter is not detected (S3: No) and the gap adjustment process is completed (S5), the preliminary operation is started (S6). In the preliminary operation, the Y-axis moving unit 13 is driven from the state in which each detection unit is enabled and the recording unit 31 is moved to the home position P (see FIG. 8) at the right end in the X-axis direction to perform the recording process. The part 12 is moved from the rear side to the front side in the Y-axis direction. At this time, if a collision of a foreign object is detected by the side collision detection unit 107 (S7: Yes), the control mechanism 15 that has received this stops driving of the Y-axis moving unit 13 (S8), and the operation panel 24. After informing the user of the error, the recording operation is terminated. On the other hand, when the front collision detection unit 106 detects a collision of a foreign object or the recording medium A (S9: Yes), the control mechanism 15 that has received this stops driving the Y-axis moving unit 13 (S10). After controlling the up-and-down moving unit 69 to raise the movable body as much as possible (S11) and informing the operation panel 24 of the error, the recording operation is finished.

  On the other hand, when the preliminary operation is finished without detecting the collision of the foreign matter or the recording medium A (S7: No, S8: No) (S12), the control mechanism 15 determines the detection result of the medium detection unit 102 during the preliminary operation. Based on this, it is determined whether the distance between the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 and the recording medium A (the height of the recording medium A) is within an allowable range (lower limit value L1 or higher, upper limit value L2 or lower) (see FIG. S13). That is, the contact-type sensor unit 153 of the first detection unit 121 never detects the rotation of the contact piece 151 during the preliminary operation, and the preliminary detection operation is performed by the light emitting / receiving unit 129 of the second detection unit 122. If no detection light is detected, the distance between the nozzle surface and the recording medium A (the height of the recording medium A) is determined to be within the allowable range. On the other hand, when the rotation of the contact piece 151 is detected by the contact sensor unit 153 or the detection of the detection light by the light emitting / receiving unit 129 is detected during the preliminary operation, the gap between the nozzle surface and the recording medium A is detected. It is determined that the distance (the height of the recording medium A) is outside the allowable range. If it is determined that the distance between the nozzle surface and the recording medium A (the height of the recording medium A) is outside the allowable range (S14: No), the recording operation is terminated without performing this operation.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the distance between the nozzle surface and the recording medium A (the height of the recording medium A) is within the allowable range (S14: Yes), this operation is started (S15). In this operation, the recording processing unit 12 is intermittently moved from the front side to the rear side in the Y-axis direction, and ink is ejected from the recording head 52 while the recording unit 31 is moved in the X-axis direction by the X-axis moving unit 32. Let At this time, if a collision of a foreign object is detected by the side collision detection unit 107 (S16: Yes), the control mechanism 15 that has received this stops driving of the Y-axis moving unit 13 (S17), and the operation panel 24. After informing the user of the error, the recording operation is terminated. On the other hand, when the rear collision detection unit 108 detects a collision of a foreign object or the recording medium A (S18: Yes), the control mechanism 15 that has received this stops driving the Y-axis moving unit 13 (S19). After controlling the up-and-down moving unit 69 to raise the movable body as much as possible (S20) and informing the operation panel 24 of the error, the recording operation is finished.

  On the other hand, when no foreign object or collision of the recording medium A is detected (S16: No, S18: No) and this operation is completed (S21), each detection unit is disabled (OFF) (S22), and the recording operation is performed. finish.

  According to the above configuration, a special arrangement space for the first detection unit 121 is provided by arranging the first detection unit 121 using the internal space of the rear bumper unit 141 for shock absorption. There is no need to provide. Therefore, the first detection unit 121 can be arranged in a space efficient manner, and the entire recording apparatus 1 can be downsized.

  In addition, since the rear sensor unit 142 that detects the behavior of the rear bumper unit 141 is provided, it is possible to detect that a foreign object has collided with the recording processing unit 12, and in this case, the driving of the Y-axis moving unit 13 is stopped. Can be done quickly.

  Furthermore, by configuring the first detection unit 121 with the contact piece 151, the rotation shaft 152, and the contact sensor unit 153, the recording medium A and the recording medium A can be recorded with a simple configuration without damaging the surface of the recording medium A as much as possible. It is possible to detect whether or not the distance to the unit 31 is less than a predetermined value (first predetermined value L1). In addition, since it is possible to detect whether or not the distance between the recording medium A and the recording unit 31 is less than a predetermined value at each position in the Y-axis direction, there are unevenness and deflection (floating) in the Y-axis direction. This can also be detected when it is partially less than the predetermined value.

  Furthermore, by disposing the contact sensor unit 153 on the contact piece 151, it is not necessary to provide a special arrangement space for the contact sensor unit 153. Therefore, the 1st detection part 121 can be reduced in size and can be easily arrange | positioned inside the rear bumper part 141. FIG.

  Further, the posture holding member 154 is configured to be retractable forward against the urging of the pair of urging springs 155, so that the recording medium A contacts the contact piece 151 from the rear during a recording operation or the like. Even in the case of (collision), since a strong load applied to the contact piece 151 can be released, damage to the contact piece 151 and the recording medium A can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the upper limit detection is performed by the single contact piece 151 and the single contact sensor unit 153 that detects the rotation of the contact piece 151, but the first detection is performed. The unit 121 includes a plurality of contact pieces 151 arranged side by side in the X-axis direction and a plurality of contact-type sensor units 153 that respectively detect the rotation of each contact piece 151, thereby performing detection. May be. In this case, the plurality of contact pieces 151 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, and the width in the X-axis direction including the plurality of contact pieces 151 has a width that includes the recording medium A. According to such a configuration, when there is unevenness or deflection (floating) in the X-axis direction and this is partially less than a predetermined value, this can be detected with high accuracy. Moreover, since each contact piece 151 is narrower than the width of the recording medium A, it is difficult to bend, and the leading end (end on the recording medium A side) can be formed with high accuracy. They can be placed as close as possible (improvement of detection accuracy).

  Further, in a configuration in which the first detection unit 121 includes a plurality of contact pieces 151 and a plurality of contact type sensor units 153, a notification unit (for example, a display unit) that notifies a detection result for each contact type sensor unit 153. May be provided. According to such a configuration, in the recording medium A, the user can easily recognize at which position in the X-axis direction the unevenness or bending (floating) occurs.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first detection unit 121 is mounted on the rear bumper unit 141, but the first detection unit 121 may be mounted on the front bumper unit 111. Even in such a case, the first detection unit 121 is mounted on the front bumper unit 11 such that a part thereof is disposed inside the front bumper unit 111.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the recording apparatus 1 that performs recording by moving the recording unit 31 in the XY directions, but the recording unit 31 having a line head is moved only in the Y-axis direction. The present invention may be applied to a recording apparatus 1 (so-called line printer) that performs recording.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in the second detection unit 122, the light emitted from the light receiving / emitting unit 129 is blocked by the side surface of the recording medium A, but is emitted from the light receiving / emitting unit 129. The light may be blocked by the side surface of the support stage 11. In other words, any configuration may be used as long as the distance between the nozzle surface of the recording head 52 and the recording medium A is such that the detection light is blocked when the distance is equal to or smaller than the second predetermined value L2. Further, although a contact type detection mechanism is used as the first detection unit 121 and an optical detection mechanism is used as the second detection unit 122, the configuration of the detection mechanisms of the first detection unit 121 and the second detection unit 122 is used. Is not limited to the above configuration.

  1: recording device, 11: support stage, 12: recording processing unit, 13: Y-axis moving unit, 31: recording unit, 121: first detection unit, 141: rear bumper unit, 142: rear sensor unit, 151: Contact piece 152: Rotating shaft 153: Contact sensor unit 154: Posture holding member 155: Biasing spring A: Recording medium

Claims (7)

A stage having a support surface for supporting the recording medium;
A recording unit for recording on the recording medium supported by the stage, and a recording processing unit that is stretched across the stage in a first direction;
A moving unit that moves the recording processing unit in a second direction along the support surface while intersecting the recording processing unit with respect to the stage;
A bumper part that is disposed on at least one of the second direction and the other side of the recording processing part and absorbs an impact when a foreign object collides;
A detection unit that detects whether or not a distance between the recording medium and the recording unit in a facing direction of the recording unit and the stage is less than a predetermined value;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the detection unit is disposed inside the bumper unit.   The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor unit that detects a behavior of the bumper unit that has collided with a foreign object. The detector is
A contact portion capable of contacting the recording medium;
A rotating shaft supported by the bumper portion and rotatably supporting a base portion of the contact portion;
A posture holding member for holding the posture of the contact portion;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a rotation detection unit configured to detect rotation of the contact unit in contact with the recording medium. The detector is
A plurality of contact portions arranged side by side in the first direction and capable of contacting the recording medium in accordance with the movement of the recording processing unit;
A rotating shaft supported by the bumper portion and rotatably supporting a base portion of the plurality of contact portions;
A posture holding member that holds the postures of the plurality of contact portions;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of rotation detection units that respectively detect rotations of the contact units that are in contact with the recording medium.   The recording apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a detection result for each rotation detection unit.   The rotation detection unit is fixed to the contact unit, and is relatively pressed against an inner surface of the bumper unit with the rotation, and detects the rotation of the contact unit by the press. The recording apparatus according to any one of 3 to 5. The bumper portion supports the posture holding member so as to be slidable between a press position for pressing the contact portion and a retreat position retracted from the press position,
The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the detection unit further includes a biasing spring that biases the posture holding member toward the pressing position.

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